Deadlines near for Roofing Day in D.C. 2022—sign up today!
Washington, D.C., continues to welcome travelers by lifting vaccine and mask mandates, increasing museum hours and moving toward further openings that we hope will be announced soon. As NRCA focuses on solutions to the industry’s supply chain and workforce challenges, we need you! Please help NRCA tell your story and build on relationships with key policymakers. Book your hotel under a discounted group rate by March 21, and please register for Roofing Day in D.C. by March 23.
Congress releases fiscal year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill
The House released text for its 2,700-page funding bill the morning of March 9. This gives House members a handful of waking hours to read the bill and vote on final passage before Democrats leave for their annual retreat in Philadelphia.
The legislative package totals $1.5 trillion in spending with substantial increases to nondefense spending alongside increases for defense-related programs. The 12 annual bills provide $730 billion in nondefense funding—a $46 billion (6.7%) increase compared with fiscal year 2021—and $782 billion in defense funding—a $42 billion (5.6%) increase compared with fiscal year 2021.
NRCA continues to read and analyze provisions of importance to the roofing industry, but an initial glimpse shows Career and Technical Education Perkins State Grants received a $45 million increase compared with fiscal year 2021 funding. This bill also includes language to provide the Department of Homeland Security with authority to issue additional visas and other improvements to the H-2B guest worker program many NRCA members use to supplement their workforce during peak season.
The bill provides a record $3.2 billion, an increase of $338 million compared with fiscal year 2021, for energy efficiency and renewable energy. This funding provides for clean, affordable, secure energy and ensures U.S. leadership in the transition to a global clean energy economy. This legislation also provides $120 million for climate change and resiliency projects, which is $106 million more than in fiscal year 2021.
Gas price averages reach historical high point, president moves to ban Russian oil
On March 7, the U.S. national average gas price set a record of $4.104 per gallon, eclipsing 2008’s record. According to AAA data, the national average for a gallon of gasoline went up 45 cents just this week. Gas prices have been steadily climbing during recent months and have increased exponentially since the war in Ukraine began. President Biden also announced a ban on Russian oil imports this week, which is likely to further increase gasoline prices. However, recent polling shows strong support for the president’s ban even if it means higher prices at the pump.
Rep. Maria Salazar introduces the Dignity Act, new immigration reform legislation
NRCA also is reviewing the Dignity Act, newly introduced immigration reform legislation by Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.). This bill takes a more comprehensive approach to reforming the U.S. immigration system rather than addressing parts of the system on a piecemeal basis. It contains a robust border security package, reforms the asylum system and would combat illegal immigration by mandating use of the E-Verify system for all employers. The bill also attempts to address the highly contentious issue of undocumented workers in the U.S. by proposing a new program to enable qualifying undocumented immigrants to transition to legal status and potentially a path to citizenship. It also would allow individuals with Temporary Protected Status and so-called “Dreamers” eligible for the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals program to adjust to lawful permanent resident status—one of NRCA’s key objectives for several years.
NRCA commends Salazar for her innovative proposal and believes many of the reforms contained in the bill would be ideal to couple with the new visa system in the Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act (H.R. 4288), legislation to establish a more robust visa system designed for our sector of the economy. This would fix our broken immigration system comprehensively while providing for the roofing industry’s future workforce needs.
Democrats and Republicans are currently at an impasse regarding immigration policy and have been unable to work in a bipartisan manner. However, pressure will continue to grow for lawmakers to act as workforce shortages and supply chain disruptions become more widespread. Although Congress likely will not take up immigration reform before the 2022 midterm elections, the topic could be a major focus of the new Congress in early 2023. NRCA will continue working on a bipartisan basis with lawmakers regarding immigration policy to address the roofing industry’s short-term and long-term workforce needs.
Move over COVID-19—giant spiders are falling from the sky
According to the University of Georgia, a spider the size of a child’s hand is expected to “colonize” the entire East Coast this spring by parachuting down from the sky. Fortunately, these spiders are generally harmless to humans as their fangs are too small to break human skin. However, those who grew up with the movie “Arachnophobia” may still be terrified.
